It was a better effort from the Nets Friday night in Atlanta, but still not good enough to get back in the win column, as New Jersey suffered a 105-98 loss to the Hawks. So, let’s take a look back at last night’s game:

– Where else could I begin but with MarShon Brooks? After many of you clamored for Brooks to be inserted into the starting lineup yesterday on Twitter, he showed why so many are so high on him. The Atlanta native finished with a very efficient 21 points (8-for-13 from the field, 1-for-2 from 3-point range, 4-for-4 from the foul line) along with four rebounds, an assist and a block.

But he also made a huge blunder when he called a timeout that the Nets didn’t have with about 20 seconds to play, earning a technical foul and costing the Nets, who trailed by four at the time, dearly. That said, everyone was very positive about Brooks after the game, including Nets coach Avery Johnson, and he’s proving that last year’s scoring output as a senior at Providence, when he finished second in the nation to Jimmer Fredette, was no fluke.

– But, despite the way Brooks played, I wouldn’t expect him to start anytime soon. First off, I think he’s perfectly suited, for the time being, at least, to come off the bench as a sixth man and just be asked to score, and then score some more. In addition to that, though, is the way Sundiata Gaines has been playing.

Gaines had another respectable showing last night, finishing with 10 points, three rebounds, five assists and two steals. He’s pushed his way past Jordan Farmar (who received a DNP – Coach’s Decision), and into the starting lineup. My guess is he stays there at least for the next few games.

– Starting next to Gaines in the backcourt, star point guard Deron Williams had his usual strong showing, finishing with 23 points, two rebounds, six assists, two steals and a block after a couple of off nights in losses to Atlanta and Orlando on Tuesday and Thursday, respectively.

– Let’s be honest – the Nets couldn’t have done much worse than they did in Tuesday’s 106-70 drubbing in their home opener against the Hawks. But they played much better Friday, keeping the game close all the way to the end and seeing several of their new moving parts begin to get comfortable. It was a step in the right direction, and we’ll see if they can build on that Sunday evening when they take on the Cavaliers in Cleveland.

– Of those new pieces, none showed a more welcome sign of life than center Mehmet Okur, who finished with 15 points, five rebounds and three assists in 33 minutes. That’s the kind of showing that the Nets have been expecting from Okur since he arrived last week, and it’s the kind of showing he’s likely to begin to reproduce once he gets acclimated and adjusted to his new teammates and the new system.

– Kris Humphries also just continues to keep playing well. He finished with his second double-double in four games, going for 10 points and 13 rebounds, and also finished at a +10, the highest plus/minus rating on the roster. As I’ve been saying since the season began, I think we can already assume that Humphries is going to finish the season averaging a double-double for the second straight year.

– Anthony Morrow finally started to get things going, as well, finishing 3-for-9 from the field overall but 3-for-5 from 3-point range, and had nine points. It can’t be stressed enough that Morrow was hurt by both the shortened training camp and several new players as much, or more, than anyone. Because of the way he needs to get open, by running off screens and using set plays, the fact that his teammates are still picking up the offense and where he wants the ball was almost guaranteed to make him get off to a slow start. But there’s also little doubt that for as good of a shooter as he is, he’ll get it figured out eventually.